The Gospel of John

Notes on January 13

The first meeting was lively. Pablito, Eddie C, Ray and me. We discussed the format and did some background on John, the writer of this gospel.

Ray pointed out that John was known as the "disciple whom Jesus loved." I asked him about that; did not Jesus love all the others? Ray said that there was a difference, and it came out in what John wrote. His stories have more human details, such as the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears.

Each gospel is different. Mark's was the first. Matthew is similar, but more detailed, and perhaps both derived from a "Q gospel" Ray mentioned. Luke was a doctor and a fact-checking historian. John wrote his gospel last in the series, and his point of view is that of an eye-witness to the events. He was there for all the major events of Jesus' ministry.

Ray asked what our favorite stories from this gospel are, with the idea that we should talk about those stories when the time comes.

Then we discussed goals, both for the study group and personally, for the year. As is well known I'm not much of a goal-setter, but the others had ideas.

posted by Larry @ 8:11 AM